Areas Served
General Contractor in Cupertino, CA
Brother and Brother Builders is your trusted contractor in San Jose, CA, proudly serving Cupertino and the surrounding communities with comprehensive remodeling and construction solutions.
Cupertino Homes
Remodels Planned Around Cupertino Zoning
In Cupertino, zoning often decides what’s possible before design does. That’s why we:
- Check for R1-e Eichler rules or a Single Story Overlay before planning an addition.
- Measure a second-story design against the City’s 66% and side-setback review triggers.
- Confirm your parcel’s hazard zone before choosing an ADU plan.








Nearby Areas Served
- San Jose: San Jose is the bustling heart of Silicon Valley, known for its blend of historic charm and modern innovation. Homeowners here often seek to modernize their living spaces while preserving architectural heritage. Learn more on our San Jose page.
- Santa Clara: Just east of Cupertino lies Santa Clara, a city with a vibrant tech scene and diverse housing styles. Residents frequently upgrade their homes with projects like bathroom remodeling and room additions to accommodate growing families and evolving lifestyles. Visit our Santa Clara page.
- Sunnyvale: To the north, Sunnyvale is known for its family-friendly neighborhoods and strong community spirit. We help Sunnyvale homeowners improve comfort and efficiency through services.
- Milpitas: Further north, Milpitas offers a dynamic mix of newer developments and traditional homes. Our expertise in new home construction and design-build projects ensuresthat Milpitas residents can customize their homes with the latest trends and sustainable building practices.
Expert Remodeling Services
Why Choose
Brother and Brother Builders
- Local Expertise: Deep understanding of Cupertino’s architectural styles and building regulations.
- Customer-Centric Approach: We prioritize your vision, keeping you informed throughout.
- Detailed Project Planning: Clear timelines, budgets, and transparent communication.
- Experienced Team: Skilled designers, architects, and contractors committed to quality.
- Post-Project Support: Ongoing assistance to ensure your satisfaction long after project completion.
Remodels, Additions and ADUs for Cupertino Homes
Kitchen Remodeling
Our kitchen remodeling services are designed to transform your culinary space into an efficient and beautiful heart of your home. We handle every step from innovative kitchen design to selecting premium kitchen cabinets, durable countertop replacement, stylish backsplash installation, and practical cabinet refacing. Each project is customized to fit Cupertino’s unique home styles and comply with California’s building codes.
Bathroom Remodeling
In addition to kitchens, our bathroom remodeling services create serene, functional bathrooms. Whether it’s a custom bathroom design, complete shower remodel, converting your tub to a shower for convenience, or upgrading your vanity, we deliver sophisticated results that enhance your home’s comfort and value.
Home Remodeling
Our full-service home remodeling covers everything from interior painting and drywall repair to flooring installation and tile work replacement. We also offer interior decorating services that bring harmony and style to your entire home, tailored to the preferences of Cupertino residents who value both form and function.
Room & Home Additions
If you’re looking to add more room, our team specializes in garage conversions that maximize space usage, second-story additions that provide extra bedrooms or offices, and ADU construction for accessory dwelling units perfect for multigenerational living or rental income, all designed to meet local zoning laws.
New Home Construction
Building from scratch? We provide bespoke new home construction services, including custom homes that reflect your vision, green building options for sustainable living, modern home designs, smart home integrations, and detailed floor plan development. Our goal is to build efficient, stylish homes that fit the progressive Cupertino community.
Design & Build
Our integrated design-build approach pairs expert architectural services with cutting-edge 3D home design tools to bring your vision to life. We specialize in open-concept remodeling and custom walk-in closet design, ensuring your project flows smoothly from design to completion with no surprises.
Cupertino Permits, R1 Design Review and ADU Rules
Cupertino runs its own permit process, separate from San Jose. The City’s Building Division at City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue (408-777-3228), handles plan review, permits and inspections, and it offers over-the-counter plan review for small projects. Applications are submitted by email to the Permit Center. The City currently lists average plan review times of 20-30 business days for the first review and 10-20 business days for each resubmittal. Source: City of Cupertino
Before the building permit, the Planning Division applies the R1 single-family ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 19.28):
- One-story work: first-story additions and remodels that need no exception can go straight to the Building Division. Source: City of Cupertino
- Second stories: new two-story homes and second-story additions use the R1 and Two Story application, with a notice board posted for public comment. Review by the City’s consulting architect is required when the second floor exceeds 66% of the first floor or sits closer than 15 feet to a side property line. Source: City of Cupertino
- Size limits: R1 lots have a maximum floor area ratio of 45%, and interior space above 16 feet is counted twice. Source: City of Cupertino
- ADUs: an ADU of 800 sq ft or less is exempt from floor area ratio and lot coverage limits and may sit 4 feet from rear and side lines. Converting a garage to an ADU requires no replacement parking. Source: City of Cupertino
Planning an ADU or a second-story addition? Knowing which review path applies is the first step in a realistic schedule.
For R1-e and single-story overlay details on Eichler homes, see our Eichler remodeling guide.
Cupertino Homes: Eichlers, 1960s Tracts and Foothill Lots
Cupertino incorporated in 1955, and most of its subdivisions were built from the 1960s on. The area between Stevens Creek Boulevard, Miller Avenue, Bollinger Road and Lawrence Expressway holds 224 Eichler homes from the 1950s. Monta Vista and Rancho Rinconada are older tracts that were annexed later (Rancho Rinconada in 1999, the last of Monta Vista in 2004). Seven Springs dates from the late 1980s, and Oak Valley, next to Rancho San Antonio Park, from around 2000. Source: Wikipedia
Those differences show up in the zoning a remodel has to follow:
- R1-e (Eichler district): a small area with its own Eichler building design requirements and an Eichler Design Handbook written with neighborhood residents.
- Single Story Overlay (R1-i): areas where residents limited homes to one story and 18 feet, so growth has to happen on the ground floor.
- R1-a (semi-rural): a neighborhood with modified rules, including a different building envelope.
Source: City of Cupertino
For a 1960s ranch house in a single-story overlay, a room addition or an open-concept remodel is often the way to gain space. For an Eichler, the design handbook should shape the plans from the start.
Remodeling Near De Anza College, Monta Vista and the Foothills
Cupertino sits on the western edge of the Santa Clara Valley. The eastern part of the city is flat valley floor, while the western part rises into the Santa Cruz Mountains. The city borders San Jose and Santa Clara to the east, Saratoga to the south, and Sunnyvale and Los Altos to the north. Old Cupertino grew up at the crossroads of Stevens Creek Road and today’s De Anza Boulevard, and De Anza College has occupied its 112-acre campus since 1967. Source: Wikipedia
Terrain matters for ADUs. The City notes that much of Cupertino lies in geologic and seismic hazard areas that need site-specific review, so pre-approved ADU plans are limited to parcels in the Valley Floor Zone. Lots in fault rupture, slope instability, hillside or liquefaction zones do not qualify. The City’s property search shows your zoning and hazard zone. Source: City of Cupertino
Whether your home is a flat-lot tract house near Stevens Creek Boulevard or a foothill property toward Monta Vista, the first step is the same: confirm the parcel’s zoning and hazard zone, then plan the scope around it.
Areas We Serve
Brother & Brother Builders
3109 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95117
Phone: (888) 412-2632
Business Hours: Mon-Fri: 8AM – 5PM
Yes, permits are required for most home remodeling projects to ensure safety and code compliance. Brother and Brother Builders manages all permitting processes for you.
Generally, kitchen remodels take 4-8 weeks depending on project scope, but we provide precise timelines during planning.
Absolutely. We incorporate green building practices and energy-saving materials suited for Cupertino’s climate and regulations.
Our commitment to local expertise, transparent communication, and quality craftsmanship makes us a preferred choice.
Yes, we serve multiple neighboring cities, including San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Milpitas.
Every second-story addition in Cupertino goes through a Planning application under the R1 ordinance, including a posted notice board for public comment. Review by the City’s consulting architect is also required when the second floor is more than 66% of the first floor or is closer than 15 feet to a side property line.
The City says an ADU of 800 sq ft or less (living area) is not limited by floor area ratio, lot coverage or open space rules, and it can sit as close as 4 feet to the rear and side property lines. ADUs under 750 sq ft do not pay park, storm drain or school impact fees. Larger ADUs count toward the 45% floor area ratio.
Only for a detached ADU on a parcel in the Valley Floor Zone. Cupertino excludes lots in fault rupture, slope instability, hillside and liquefaction zones because they need site-specific review. The City’s property search shows whether your parcel qualifies, and staff recommend checking with Community Development before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
All Your Remodeling Questions Answered
Have questions about remodeling your home? We’ve got answers. From budgeting and timelines to permits and design choices, our FAQs cover the most common concerns. Learn what to expect, how to prepare, and how we make your remodel smooth, transparent, and stress-free.
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